Bentley welcomes future generation

With Brexit impending and many companies in limbo about the future, Bentley Motors leads the way, recruiting a new intake of apprentices as the business takes a strong stance toward UK manufacturing.

Bentley Motors has welcomed its new intake of apprentices, undergraduates and graduates.

As the company prepares to celebrate its centenary year, Bentley Motors has recruited a new intake of apprentices, undergraduates and graduates to its 4,000-strong workforce.

Covering areas such as sales and marketing, communications, digital, finance and purchasing, and of course, engineering and manufacturing departments.

Out of the 83 new recruits, 40 apprentices will start training at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, bringing the current number of apprentices to nearly 140.

Dr Astrid Fontaine, member of the board for people, digitalisation and IT at Bentley Motors, said: “As we reflect and celebrate the significant achievements of this company over the past 100 years, it is more important than ever to look ahead and prepare for the next chapter.”

He added: “This starts with recruiting the next generation, our experts of tomorrow, who we welcome and join an already highly-skilled, motivated and passionate workforce.”

Do people want their children to work in manufacturing?

The public views manufacturing as critical to the future of the UK economy – image courtesy of Depositphotos.

This latest intake of apprentices, graduates and undergraduates from Bentley, comes after a recent poll highlighted the views on manufacturing by the wider public.

These held huge misconceptions about the pay and opportunities a career in manufacturing offers, and also that while the public views manufacturing as critical to the future of the UK economy, less than 20% of parents would encourage their children to work in the sector.

More positively though, almost three quarters of people (70%) agree that the UK cannot tackle future problems without a strong manufacturing sector, and 88% think it is important for the UK to have a strong industry.

See for yourself how innovative the UK manufacturing sector is at the moment by attending Europe’s largest digital manufacturing event, which showcases the most advanced 4IR technology – Smart Factory Expo.

Last year, the two-day event attracted more than 4,000 industrial decision-makers. This year, we’re on track to host 6,000!